2309 Hydrogen Motor Fuel-Dispensing and Generation Facilities — 2025 California Fire Code

Hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generation facilities shall be in accordance with this section, Chapter 58 and NFPA 2. Where a fuel-dispensing facility includes a repair garage, the repair operation shall comply with Section 2311.

Equipment used for the generation, compression, storage or dispensing of hydrogen shall be designed for the specific application in accordance with Sections 2309.2.1 through 2309.2.3.

2309.2.1 Approved equipment. Cylinders, containers and tanks; pressure relief devices, including pressure valves; hydrogen vaporizers; pressure regulators; and piping used for gaseous hydrogen systems shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapters 53, 55 and 58.

2309.2.2 Listed or approved equipment. Hoses, hose connections, compressors, hydrogen generators, dispensers, motor-fueling connections and electrical equipment used for hydrogen shall be listed or approved for use with hydrogen.

2309.2.3 Electrical equipment. Electrical installations shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code .

In addition to the requirements of Section 2303.1, dispensing equipment shall be located in accordance with Sections 2309.3.1 through Section 2309.3.2.

2309.3.1 Location of operations and equipment. Generation, compression, storage and dispensing equipment shall be located in accordance with Sections 2309.3.1.1 through 2309.3.1.5.5.

2309.3.1.1 Outdoors. Generation, compression or storage equipment shall be allowed outdoors in accordance with Chapter 58 and NFPA 2.

2309.3.1.2 Indoors. Generation, compression, storage and dispensing equipment shall be located in indoor rooms or areas constructed in accordance with the requirements of the California Building Code, the International Fuel Gas Code, the California Mechanical Code and NFPA 2.

2309.3.1.2.1 Maintenance. Gaseous hydrogen systems and detection devices shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

2309.3.1.2.2 Smoking. Smoking shall be prohibited in hydrogen cutoff rooms. “No Smoking” signs shall be provided at all entrances to hydrogen fuel gas rooms.

2309.3.1.2.3 Ignition source control. Open flames, flame-producing devices and other sources of ignition shall be controlled in accordance with Chapter 58.

2309.3.1.2.4 Housekeeping. Hydrogen fuel gas rooms shall be kept free from combustible debris and storage.

2309.3.1.3 Gaseous hydrogen storage. Storage of gaseous hydrogen shall be in accordance with Chapters 53 and 58.

MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES

2309.3.1.4 Liquefied hydrogen storage. Storage of liquefied hydrogen shall be in accordance with Chapters 55 and 58.

2309.3.1.5 Canopy tops. Gaseous hydrogen compression and storage equipment located on top of motor fuel-dispensing facility canopies shall be in accordance with Sections 2309.3.1.5.1 through 2309.3.1.5.5, Chapters 53 and 58, and the Interna- tional Fuel Gas Code .

2309.3.1.5.1 Construction. Canopies shall be constructed in accordance with the motor fuel-dispensing facility canopy requirements of Section 406.7 of the California Building Code .

2309.3.1.5.2 Fire-extinguishing systems. Fuel-dispensing areas under canopies shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. The design of the sprinkler system shall be not less than that required for Extra Hazard Group 2 occupancies. Operation of the sprinkler system shall activate the emergency functions of Sections 2309.3.1.5.3 and 2309.3.1.5.4.

2309.3.1.5.3 Emergency discharge. Operation of the automatic sprinkler system shall activate an automatic emergency discharge system, which will discharge the hydrogen gas from the equipment on the canopy top through the vent pipe system.

2309.3.1.5.4 Emergency shutdown control. Operation of the automatic sprinkler system shall activate the emergency shutdown control required by Section 2309.5.3.

2309.3.1.5.5 Signage. Approved signage having 2-inch (51 mm) block letters shall be affixed at approved locations on the exterior of the canopy structure stating: “CANOPY TOP HYDROGEN STORAGE.”

2309.3.2 Canopies. Dispensing equipment need not be separated from canopies of Type I or II construction that are constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen gas and in accordance with Section 406.7 of the California Building Code .

Hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing systems, including key, code and card lock dispensing systems, shall be limited to the filling of permanently mounted motor vehicle fuel tanks on hydrogen-powered vehicles.

In addition to the requirements in Section 2311, the owner of a hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facility shall provide for the safe operation of the system by complying with this code and the fueling protocols in NFPA 2 and through the institution of a fire safety plan submitted in accordance with Section 404, the training of employees and operators who use and maintain the system in accordance with Section 406, and provisions for hazard communication in accordance with Section 407.

Exception: Filling of nonpermanently mounted storage containers or tanks for motor fuel-dispensing system testing purposes is permitted.

2309.4.1 Dispensing systems. Dispensing systems shall be equipped with an overpressure protection device set at not greater than 140 percent of the service pressure of the fueling nozzle it supplies.

Safety precautions at hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generation facilities shall be in accordance with Sections 2309.5.1 through 2309.5.3.1.

2309.5.1 Protection from vehicles. Guard posts or other approved means shall be provided to protect hydrogen storage systems and use areas subject to vehicular damage in accordance with Section 312.

2309.5.1.1 Vehicle fueling pad. The vehicle shall be fueled on noncoated concrete or other approved paving material having a resistance not exceeding 1 megohm as determined by the methodology specified in EN 1081.

2309.5.2 Emergency shutoff valves. A manual emergency shutoff valve shall be provided to shut down the flow of gas from the hydrogen supply to the piping system.

2309.5.2.1 Identification. Manual emergency shutoff valves shall be identified and the location shall be clearly visible, have access and be indicated by means of a sign.

2309.5.3 Emergency shutdown controls. In addition to the manual emergency shutoff valve required by Section 2309.5.2, a remotely located, manually activated emergency shutdown control shall be provided. An emergency shutdown control shall be located within 75 feet (22 860 mm) of, but not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) from, dispensers and hydrogen generators.

2309.5.3.1 System requirements. Activation of the emergency shutdown control shall automatically shut off the power supply to all hydrogen storage, compression and dispensing equipment; shut off natural gas or other fuel supply to the hydrogen generator; and close valves between the main supply and the compressor and between the storage containers and dispensing equipment.

The repair, purging, defueling or discharge activities associated with hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generation systems, storage tanks and the installation of the systems shall be in accordance with Chapters 53 and 58 and NFPA 2.

Exception: The motor vehicle fuel tank and the fuel supply piping from the motor vehicle fuel tank to the engine compartment on a motor vehicle or forklift unless the fuel tank is required to be defueled in accordance with Section 2311.8.11.

2309.6.1 Documented procedure. A documented procedure that explains the logic sequence for defueling or discharging operations shall be maintained on-site and shall be provided to the fire code official upon request. The procedure shall include what actions the operator is required to take in the event of a low-pressure or high-pressure hydrogen release during discharging activity. Schematic design documents shall be maintained on-site, illustrating the arrangement of piping, regulators and equipment

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MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES

settings. The schematic shall illustrate the piping and regulator arrangement and shall be shown in spatial relation to the location of the vehicle being defueled and, if applicable, to the compressor, storage vessels and emergency shutdown devices.